Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-07-08

church, a school house and a hotel.
The White River escapes here from the
north. From the beautiful Granville
valley it comes down to Hancock. This
Granville valley is perhaps the most
beautiful of any in the State. 1t has both
the finish of the woods and meadows !;
that of hills and mountains. Tranquili-
ty breathes above it, Poetry roams
through it, and Perfection has placed
upon it its stamp. We leave it to the
left turning at two miles from Hancock
The hills of the valley of Granville are
themselves valleys, for mountain range
towers beyond them. At their top they
spread out into farms. The school house
marshalls its homes, and stands waiting
for the scholars. The brook tumbes
down the ravine and flows through the
meadows. To almost any route in YER
mont there is a brook, and whichever one
you go by, 1t will look you square in the
face, and ask if it isn't the prettest brook
you ever saw.
An inquiry as to the Oldest resident near
suggests Mr. Ball land he lives across the
raviue at the east. Through this ravine
flows another brook, and up the road
from it six school children are coming,
the last three quite young girls. All are
been wading in the brook. The little
girls scamper across the lot and are lost
in the cowslips. Going by Mr.. Balls. the
road fingers near meadows peculiarly
Nermontish. passes by several farm
houses, then turns to the east and begins
the ascent of the third mountain range.
Steep and through the woods 1t rises to a
height nearly equal to that of the second.
And now the three higher ranges past.
we look Oft upon the Connecticut valley
and the White Mountains. but the Con-
necticut valley is a valley of hills and
mountains and the hills are calling to each
other across lesser valleys wide and deep.
Into one of these, that of Braintree. we
descended and came to small inn near
the railroad, and opposite where stood
the Braintree station and a store. Here
we had dinner, and after dinner drove
down the valley to West Randolph.
Since we were here before this place has
been rebuilt, arising from the ashes of a
fire. and much improved. find here a
very good hotel and quite a good many
acquaintance.
ST. JOHNsBURY. May u.
There are but few pretter villages in
Vermont than West Randolph. for it j.
newly built in a very clean valley. with
glimpses of mountain scenery that are
unusually attractive. left it by a back
door exit that assembled the hills which
lie between East and West Braintree.
This is large spur of hills similar to
the many such in eastern Vermont. 1t
i the home of many farms, and many
excellent farm-houses and barns are built
upon it. At one spot | passed a small
hamlet. at many places beautiful woods
of the sugar maple and other trees. At
ter four or five miles | descended to the
eastern valley. which followed north
several miles and left for the hills of
BrOoktield. | had now left the regular
gulf road from Randolph to Montpelier
to take my chances again over the hills.
BY gradual ascent | rose to 400 feet
above the sea. The free winds OF heaven
famed again the cheeks of the hills.
Then | came to the village of Brookfield.
and from this, in three or four miles,
crossed to the valley of East Brooktield.
The descent to this valley from the hills
above i. literally. should think. a.
steep as the roof Of house. The road
descends transversely in order to descend
at all. And so in few minutes we tum-
bled down again many hundred, of feet
into another valley where the meadows
are flat and delciou>ly clear stream
winds its way through them. At the see
ond bridge over the stream several child
rem were fishing for trout. Continuing
in this valley, the road runs through
to WilliamstOWn, where is something of
a village. Here at a small country inn
passed the night: distance from West
about 30 miles. The next
| drove to Barre. some seven
miles, and to Montpelier about seven
more. The drive to Barre from Williams
town was exceedingly pleasant. At
Barre are celebrated granite quarries. \
branch railroad comes up here from
and the place is large and ac-
tive.
Montpelier. the capital of Vermont. is
one of it, best-built and best-kept vii
lagos. Barre threatens to out-grow it.
but we have no idea it can begin to out
grow the feeling of importance that cen
tiers at Montpelier. Montpelier is place
of large wealth and good looks. 1t is
Vermont town, complete
ly ensconced within its hills. and we
hope will long hold its position as capt.
tai of the State.
From Montpelier to st. Johnsbury was
a new route to me. The distance is
about 40 miles direct across the hills to
East Montpelier; then come Plaintield.
Marshteld Cabot and Danville. Plain
field is a pretty village; Marshtield a ro-
mantle one, whose population is proven
bially handsome. Cabot is further re-
moved from the influences of travel.
Danvlle offers inducements as a summer
resort. Its green is some 400 feet above
the sea, and on the line of the Portland
and Ogdens burgh railroad.
Before reaching Danville we passed by
quite a broad lake. st. Johnsbury.
the success of the Fairbanks.
has become one of the important towns
of the State. 1t Is noted for its stone
church, which is one of the finest in the
world. J.B.